BAGO Urges Increase to Minimum Age in Belgium’s Lottery Sector
As of this month, Belgium has raised the minimum age for gambling to 21 for all verticals, with the exception of the national lottery. The royal decree implementing the new age limit left the lottery unaffected, as the government considers it a lower-risk activity. However, the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) is pushing for that to change.
BAGO Calls for Equal Age Restrictions
BAGO has proposed that the age limit for the national lottery be raised to 21, aligning it with other gambling verticals. The lobby group argues that the exclusion of the lottery from the decree creates an inconsistency in protecting young people. Despite a general decline in youth participation, BAGO notes that a significant number of young people continue to engage with the lottery.
In a statement, BAGO said, “We find it illogical that the increase in the minimum age to 21 years does not apply to all National Lottery products and therefore request equal protection for young people. In addition to control and equal treatment, prevention is an essential part of keeping young people away from gambling.”
Decline in Youth Gambling
A study conducted by the Flemish Expertise Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs last year indicates that youth gambling in Belgium has decreased over time. The proportion of under 21s playing the lottery and scratch cards dropped to 5.3 per cent and 9.7 per cent, respectively, in 2022-23. However, scratch cards remain the most popular form of gambling for young people, followed closely by sports betting, which now falls under the 21+ restriction.
The study also highlighted a lack of awareness about the legal age for gambling. Only 77.6 per cent of respondents knew that the minimum age to purchase a scratch card was 18. Interestingly, young women were slightly more likely than men to buy scratch cards, with 9.8 per cent reporting that they had done so.
Regulatory Challenges and Funding Needs
In addition to the age limit discussions, a recent report on Belgium’s ban on gambling advertising has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Kansspelcommissie, the national gambling regulator. The report recommends increased funding for the regulator to improve its enforcement capabilities, especially regarding unlicensed gambling sites.
Researchers identified several breaches of the advertising ban, including incidental promotions during sports broadcasts and product placements on websites and social media channels. They found that Kansspelcommissie has struggled to address these violations due to operational challenges, including understaffing and underfunding. The regulator’s fine collection rate was just 21 per cent in 2023, and it has been slow to respond to blacklisted gambling websites operating outside of Europe.
With these regulatory challenges and the debate over age limits continuing, Belgium’s approach to gambling is under scrutiny. The future may see further adjustments to ensure consistent protection across all gambling verticals, especially for younger audiences.
